Hay-rake.



No. 694,558. Patented Mar. 4, |902.

l w. vs. Llvemaoou.

H AY RAKE.

(Application me@ July 1, 190i.)

(lo Model.)

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WINFIELD S. LIVENGOOD, OF KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI, ASSIGNOR TO THE n SMITH it SONS MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI,

A CORPORATION OF MISSOURI.

HAY-RAKE.

SPECIFICATION formi-ng part of Letters Patent No. 694,558, dated March 4, 1,902. Application filed July 1, 1901. Serial No. 66,764. (No model.)

1o this specification.

My invention relates to improvements in hay-rakes, having more particular relation to improvements in the devices and in the ar rangement of devices for securing the draftpoles to the frame of the rake; and my invention consists in certain features of novelty hereinafter described, and pointed out in the claims. A

Figure l represents an isometric view of a zo hay-rake embodying` my invention. Fig. 2 represents a side elevation of the same. Fig. 3 represents a detail rear View of a portion of the frame of the rake, showing the manner of connecting the draft-bar to the frame and z5 the manner of mounting Vthe frame upon the carrying-Wheels. Fig. 4 shows in detail the mounting of said wheels.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

1 represents a bar in length substantially the width of the rake and upon which at4 equal distance from the ends the Wheels 2 are mounted and may hence be called the axlebar. Said bar is strengthened and enlarged, as shown at 3, to provide a journal for the wheels, which are boxed in and capped at the ends of the hub, as shown at et in Fig. 4, to prevent access of dust and grit to the bearing. Upon said axle-bar are mounted the 4o rake-teeth 5, which extend rearwardly a distance sufficient to carry on theirrear ends a tail-bar 6. Upon said teeth are mounted blocks 7, recessed, as shown at 8, and carried at their rear ends upon said tail-bar 6. Upon said blocks, substantially over the axle-bar, is mounted a cap-plate 9, upon which may be mounted a seat 10, the relation being such that the Weight of the driver will substantially balancethe weight of the rake-teeth, so that when 5o the weight is thrown back on the seat the for- Ward ends of the teeth will be elevated, and

`said blocks 7 beingprovided one upon each of the teeth and the cap-plate 9 secured thereon substantially over the axle, as stated, have the effect to prevent sagging of the frame between 5 5 the Wheels, such sagging, besides being objectionable in itself, tending to unduly elevate the rake-teeth beyond or outside of the wheels, so that the rake-teeth instead of lying in the same plane are forced into a curved line un- 6o der the Weightof the load and the effective operation of the rake seriously interfered with. Upon said cap-plate at suitable distance from its ends are ieXibly connected by links 12 the inner ends of the draft-bars 11. Near the Vends of said plate are flexibly mounted by links 13 the draft-poles 14, which are extended rearwardly and secured to said draft-bars at 15 intermediate their ends. A brace-bar 16 is'connected with said draft-bar at 17 near its 7o inner end and with said draft-pole at 18 forward of the connection of said pole upon the cap-plate. Said brace serves to stiften the connection between said draft-bar and draft-pole and give rigidity to said pole against lateral strains, thus providing a very strong and efticient draft attachment. Upon the outer end of said draft-bar is provided a clevis 19 for the attachment of the usual whiffletree, (not shown,) and upon the forward end of the 8o draft-pole is mounted a neck-yoke 2O for the attachment of a breast-strap upon the draft animal. (Not shown.)

By the construction and arrangement herein described a very strong and durable frame is provided, cheap in construction and serviceable and efficient in operation, and by api plying the draft attachments in the manner described the draft is equalized and a very light-running and easily-managed rake is pro- 9o duced.

Having thus fully described my improvements, what I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a hay-rake of the character described, the combination with the rake-frame of draftbars exibly connected with said frame at a distance from its ends, draft-poles flexibly connected with said frame near its ends, and

secured to said draft-bars intermediate their roo ends, and brace bars connected with said draft-bars near their inner ends and with said draft-poles in advance ofthe connecting-point l of said poles upon the frame; substantially as set forth.

2. In a hay-rake of the character described, the combination with the rake-f rame, of draftbars, flexible connection between said draftbars and said frame at a distance from its ends, draft-poles secured to said draft-bars intermediate their ends and extending a dis- Io tance rearwardly with relation to the rakefranie, flexible connection between said poles 

